Disease Info

There are many varied types of depression. Without realizing it or accepting it, many Americans suffer from some sort of depression. It is estimated that some 14 million Americans are affected by depression. Fewer than 4.7 million of those, about 1/3, will seek medical help. What are the reasons? Perhaps it is because depression is classified as a mental illness. That label is one people tend to avoid. People who suffered from mental illness were, at one time in history, ridiculed by society. In many cases those with slight signs of depression were locked away in state institutions for the mentally ill. The good news is things have become different. However, old stereotypes have not. This influences many Americans to keep their illness to themselves.

Many factors contribute to depression. It isn’t easy to diagnose. Chemical balance in the brain, DNA, biology and even environment have to be considered. Drug abusers and alcoholics can develop depression, but so can people just dealing with every day life situations and stress. These elements and more can lead to depression. Are there treatments for sufferers? There are many options for treatment and even cure, just as there are many causes for depression. It comes down to a case by case consideration as to which options are best for someone who suffers depression.

Many claim they have a cure for depression. Methods of treatment that are safe and that work to cure depression do exist. A doctor looks at a number of factors to determine which combination of options to apply. Is the treatment proven clinically to be effective for depression? If it is medication, herbal or prescription, does it have the proven amount of ingredients to induce a positive result? Have high quality control standards been used when accepting the method? It’s time to take a look at some of the more accepted cures.

To treat many forms of depression doctors have typically prescribed a combination of drugs and psychotherapy. SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are prescribed to treat depression. In 1988 Prozac was first used and today it is one of the most popular. Drugs like Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, and Luvox as well as others are also used. Case history shows all of these to be effective. But side effects are common, including causing more depression. That is why natural cures are becoming so popular today. St Johns Wort extract is one herbal cure gaining popularity quickly. To be effective it must contain around 3-5% hyperforin. It’s success rate is similar to that of Prozac but with fewer side effects. If those who have the disease don’t seek treatment, a cure does no good. If you think you have depression, or if someone you know shows the signs, visit a doctor.

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It’s normal for almost everybody to feel depressed. We get sad for a lot of different reasons and it’s understandable. However, a lot of people often mistake a fleeting moment of depression with the mood disorder. Oftentimes, you’ll see people buy Fluoxetine or other antidepressants and use it even if they’re not yet sure if they aren’t diagnosed of having clinical depression.

This is a very dangerous habit to get into because prescription medicines can be dangerous to one’s health when misused. It would be advisable to consult a doctor before taking such drugs. There are more ways to deal with depressions than just popping antidepressants. Here are some:

1. Put on some music.
   We all know that music can greatly affect how people feel. But for depression, the current trend of emotional, shout-y, rock songs will not help. Try the classic piano concertos of Mozart for a change, it has been proven to be helpful in changing the mood. For people who can’t stand listening to orchestra music or piano pieces, songs that have melodic rhythms and positive lyrics work, too.
2. Choose a scent to relax you.
   We’ve all heard of aromatherapy and how it’s helpful in calming and relaxing people. But more than that, certain scents have been proven to improve people’s moods. Flowery scents have been known to improve mood, chamomile and lavander said to reduce stress, while eucalyptus and peppermint helps perk people up from sleepiness.
3. Try on some changes.
   It could be time to try something new for a change. A monotonous lifestyle can be quite depressing. It doesn’t have to be a major change. It can be something as little as changing your route home or going to a different store for your needs — something that breaks you off of your normal routine. If you’re often home, go out with your friends. You might find yourself out of your blues in no time.

Know that there are a lot of things you can do to get yourself out of the depressed state you’re in. Take time off and be with friends, do random things, and enjoy life. Before you know it, you’ll be up and about and feeling the least bit depressed.

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products. <a href="http://www.internetpharmacy.bz/">InternetPharmacy</a> is a reputable online drug store and offers an array of health products and medicare prescription drugs.

It’s normal for almost everybody to feel depressed. We get sad for a lot of different reasons and it’s understandable. However, a lot of people often mistake a fleeting moment of depression with the mood disorder. Oftentimes, you’ll see people buy Fluoxetine or other antidepressants and use it even if they’re not yet sure if they aren’t diagnosed of having clinical depression.

This is a very dangerous habit to get into because prescription medicines can be dangerous to one’s health when misused. It would be advisable to consult a doctor before taking such drugs. There are more ways to deal with depressions than just popping antidepressants. Here are some:

1. Put on some music.
   We all know that music can greatly affect how people feel. But for depression, the current trend of emotional, shout-y, rock songs will not help. Try the classic piano concertos of Mozart for a change, it has been proven to be helpful in changing the mood. For people who can’t stand listening to orchestra music or piano pieces, songs that have melodic rhythms and positive lyrics work, too.
2. Choose a scent to relax you.
   We’ve all heard of aromatherapy and how it’s helpful in calming and relaxing people. But more than that, certain scents have been proven to improve people’s moods. Flowery scents have been known to improve mood, chamomile and lavander said to reduce stress, while eucalyptus and peppermint helps perk people up from sleepiness.
3. Try on some changes.
   It could be time to try something new for a change. A monotonous lifestyle can be quite depressing. It doesn’t have to be a major change. It can be something as little as changing your route home or going to a different store for your needs — something that breaks you off of your normal routine. If you’re often home, go out with your friends. You might find yourself out of your blues in no time.

Know that there are a lot of things you can do to get yourself out of the depressed state you’re in. Take time off and be with friends, do random things, and enjoy life. Before you know it, you’ll be up and about and feeling the least bit depressed.

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products. <a href="http://www.internetpharmacy.bz/">InternetPharmacy</a> is a reputable online drug store and offers an array of health products and medicare prescription drugs.

For the longest time, people with severe depression have proven resistant to tried-and-tested treatment methods, like taking antidepressants (Prozac, Wellbutrin, etc.) and psychotherapy, to manage and treat their condition. Early last year, the U.S. FDA approved of the use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) implants for the treatment of non-treatment responsive depression. VNS implants is a treatment used for epilepsy patients and is implanted by means of invasive surgery.

But now, the government has approved of the first non-invasive brain stimulator that helps treat treatment-resistant depression. This new treatment is called the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). It beams magnetic pulses through the skull, triggering small electrical charges to spark brain cells back to life.

This is quite a convenient alternative as opposed to undergoing invasive surgery or painful shock therapy. It is important for people with depression to know that this treatment is not for everyone. The FDA approved Neuronetics Inc.’s Neurostar therapy specifically for sufferers who’ve had to no relief from their first antidepressants. This also helps depression sufferers avoid the hassles of trying pill after pill.

With statistics showing that one out of five people with depression is non-responsive to treatment, this is why there is a need for innovative approaches to treating the disease. And the TMS is offering just that.

Creators of the TMS device explain that for depression treatment, the magnet is aimed at the front left portion of the head, directly atop the prefrontal cortex. Because every individual’s brain is different, measures need to be taken to make sure that the magnet is aimed at the right place. An initial zap is done at the top of the head to find the motor-control region. Once they’re able to locate it, they move five centimeters forward and start beaming 3,000 pulses per minute (ppm) for 40 minutes. The treatment is done five times a week over a course of six weeks.

The creators of the device believes that by stimulating cells in the prefrontal cortex, a chain reaction can be triggered to stimulate deeper brain regions that are primarily responsible for mood regulation.

Tests have proven that this new breakthrough is very safe. People who have tried the device didn’t suffer from seizures or memory problems unlike in shock therapy; the only complaint was of headaches. After the tests were done, 24% of the test subjects who got TMS treatment scored significantly better on a standard depression chart after six weeks, compared to 12% who got placebo treatment.

This new treatment is proving to be very promising; however, the FDA highly emphasizes that this is only for people who have failed responding to their first antidepressant. The TMS therapy is not for people who are severely treatment-resistant.

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products. <a href="http://www.internetpharmacy.bz/">InternetPharmacy</a> is a reputable online drug store and offers an array of health products and medicare prescription drugs.

Financial crises tend to put a damper on everyone’s plans, so the current crisis is not really presenting a great surprise in terms of effects on the general population. For those who study financial decision-making processes and long-term human behavior, this is hardly anything to be worth acting surprised over. As with things like love and sex, individuals are the ones making decisions regarding financial moves and markets, which means that corporations and governments are making decisions that are fundamentally more emotional than logical, and sometimes tend toward more irrational moves. Since economies tend to be cyclical in nature, the occasional meltdown is inevitable, according to experts.

The problem with assuming that economics and strategies will work properly is that people are assuming that economics follows rationality. The harsh reality is that it does not. Humans are the ones making the decisions, and there are numerous biological and psychological factors that can affect even the most efficient, rational decision making process. While medical science has been well aware of this problem and has years of experience in realizing that things like depression and anxiety will affect even the most logical of thinkers, economists have been slow to grasp that reality. This, according to some researchers, is because economic theories and models are based on how people ‘should’ behave, as opposed to how they actually would behave. They simply fail to realize that there are numerous factors that can have detrimental effect on one’s ability to be rational.

For example, higher testosterone levels are known for making men more aggressive on various levels. For men with higher levels of that hormone, it was found that they were more likely to take huge financial risks — the kind that could leave them bankrupt, with not a whole lot of return for their investments. In contrast, people who are experiencing depression might see a potentially good opportunity as being a little too dangerous to handle,

According to medical science, it isn’t just psychology and biology that play a role in the decisions that led the world into the current economic rut it’s in. Human beings are inevitably capable of learning from evidence or experience — its part of how the brain works. Behavior and decision-making are also linked to how people learn, but there is a catch. The older the experiences are, the less likely that the person will remember them, or what they managed to learn from those experience. This applies even to the population at large, as some experts point out.

Recent economic trends have shown the stock market being strong and moving upwards almost constantly, though there have been times when things tended to level out. This has given people the impression that the stock market is on an upward swing, and is not going to crash. However, an analysis of history will show that the reality is that the stock market can crash, and it usually does crash every few decades or so. This information, while it might be of critical importance for those in financial markets, tends to be forgotten when everything current says “things are looking up.”

Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products. http://www.internetpharmacy.bz/

“It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States”—Gary Null

Have you ever keenly observed what your family doctor tells you every time about modern medicines? Do not be surprised if your family doctor tries to talk you out of using drugs or into using fewer drugs, next time. Although modern drugs are certified as harmless by the government, manufactures themselves aren’t sure about the harmlessness of their products. It is a fact that consumers do not get all of the needed information, especially the truth about the dangers of modern medicines. Do you know that several experienced druggists themselves do not take drugs at all or at least avoid long-term use? Have you noticed the change in the recent trends, even cosmetics companies have started to label their produce as ‘herbal’?

It is unfortunate that most of us have little knowledge about the perilous drugs we use in the name of modern medicines in our daily life, while we insist so much on herbal cosmetics to ensure the safety of our external beauty. Wondering what else could work for the betterment of your health? The time-tested and ever prevailing herbal healing is the only means that can help you in all you remedial needs.

Herbal healing had been the forerunner of all medicines and has made a come back in this century to save us from the perils of modern drugs. Among the ancient Herbal Healing programs, Chinese herbal remedy, which has been used from time immemorial to cure all sorts of ailments, is still in practice. It’s a proven method of treating diseases and doesn’t have any harmful side effects. Apart from healing properties, natural herbs have the divine power of strengthening your body’s defense mechanism. Herbal vitamins are far superior to those that are chemically synthesized.

Do you want to grow your hair? Are you in search of an effective weight loss program, or just looking for supplements to maintain your health? Natural Herbs have it all. There are healing herbs that have the power to grow your hair, weight loss herbs that can reduce your weight with out any harmful effects, and herbal supplements that can keep you healthy all the time. Herbs are best weapons to fight against baldness, arthritis, and heart diseases. They not only repair the damage but also improve your immune system.

A simple research in the internet could enlighten you on the dangers of using modern medicines and the benefits of natural herbs. These mystical herbs are abundant in the tropical forests and are gathered by companies producing herbal products. Although some of them grow only in certain climate and soil, many of the life saving herbs can be comfortably grown in your backyard as well. This kind of gardening is called as herbal gardening. Apart form giving you the pleasures of home gardening, herbal gardening can sustain your good health and be of great help when you desperately need them.

www.herbalheals.com: In view of promoting global health through natural herbs, herbalheals.com provides useful information on herbal healing. You can find information about Chinese herbs, backyard medicinal herbs, and <a href=”http://www.herbalheals.com/herbalheals-articles/herbal-remedy-for-arthritis.htm”>herbal remedy</a> for arthritis, heart ailments and many other diseases or even learn interesting facts about<a href=”http://www.herbalheals.com/herbalheals-articles/indoor-herb-garden-ideas.htm”Herbal Gardening</a>

With all the disclosures about funding received from the drug companies by “unbiased” research teams at major universities, it is not surprising that many of these studies have determined that a drug produced by the funding drug company is “beneficial,” but none of them cure the actual cause. Of course, these studies also pointed out the serious side effects of most of these drugs, while also concluding that the drug manufactured by the drug company paying for the research was worth the risk.

However, there is still research being done into treating not the symptoms but the actual cause of illness or body malfunction. Often this research has been sponsored by the United Nations which is addressing problems in countries where the funds are not available to buy high-priced drugs that really only treat symptoms and cause many other side effects. Zinc deficiency has been investigated for many years, but as the need to find a cure for many conditions and symptoms is being demanded by more patients, many more studies are being done. In this newsletter we will discuss zinc and zinc deficiency.

ZINC

Ancient Egyptian texts advocate the use of zinc, and it has continued to be recommended for help in the treatment of a number of diseases and conditions. Zinc is one of 14 essential minerals that are considered necessary for the proper function of the body. The essential minerals are:

• Calcium
• Chromium
• Copper
• Fluorine
• Iodine
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Zinc

Scientists have shown that zinc stimulates the activity of at least 100 enzymes–substances that promote reactions in our body– and many scientists say that the number of enzymes may be as high as 300. Some medical researchers believe that zinc acts as a neurotransmitter and if zinc levels are too low, this could be a cause of abnormal behavior.

CONDITIONS LINKED TO ZINC DEFICIENCY

ADHD & ADD

Many parents have felt that tightening of their stomach when they received the call from their children’s school telling them that their child had ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or ADD (attention deficit disorder). The normal solution from the school is not to have the child taken to a doctor and tested for any physical problems but to put them on a drug that is chemically similar to cocaine.

Many doctors have shown that children presenting the supposed symptoms of ADHD or ADD were actually suffering from real physical problems. Sometimes these children simply required a diet change because they were allergic to certain foods. Sometimes they were just ingesting too much sugar. Other times they were found to have thyroid problems or other medical problems.

Other children have had problems with zinc or other essential metals. Once treated effectively, the cause of the symptoms was no longer present and the symptoms of ADHD and ADD were gone—all without using these dangerous drugs.

“Zinc deficiency mimics symptoms of ADHD,” said Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, a child psychiatrist at Ohio State’s Nisonger Center.” He continued, “Preliminary work suggests the ADHD population may have a higher prevalence of marginal zinc deficiency.”

Zinc Deficiency In Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was published in Biological Psychiatry in1996. 43 children aged between 6 and 16 years of age (average age 10) who had been labeled as having ADHD were compared with 28 other non-ADHD labeled children who were matched for age and sex.

The study found that zinc levels in the ADHD group were significantly lower than in the non-ADHD labeled group. The authors concluded, “Zinc is an essential co-factor in a huge number of different processes in the brain and body. With respect to ADHD symptoms, the authors point out that zinc deficiencies have been linked to a ‘hyperadrenal’ syndrome (overworked adrenals) and also with reduced production of melatonin and serotonin, either of which could plausibly contribute to the kinds of behavioral disturbances found in ADHD.”

Instead of meekly agreeing to give your child Ritalin or Adderall, insist that you be allowed to have your child examined by a competent medical doctor who is looking for the cause of your child’s symptoms—if there really is a problem. One of the things that the doctor should investigate is whether there is a zinc or other metal deficiency.

DEPRESSION

The drug company labels for antidepressants admit that they are not sure how these drugs actually work. Unlike other medical conditions, there are no medical tests to determine if someone has a deficiency in the chemicals that the antidepressants are intended to increase. In addition, as we demonstrated in last week’s newsletter, many of the symptoms of depression are identical to the symptoms of a low thyroid condition.

However, more researchers are concluding that there is a strong link between zinc deficiency and depression. A recent paper by N.M. Tassabehji, R.S. Corniola, A. Alshingiti, and C.W. Levenson for the Department of Nutrition, Food & Exercise Sciences at Florida State University stated, “There is mounting evidence suggesting a link between serum zinc levels and clinical depression.” (Serum is the clear watery fluid that separates from clotted blood.)
In an article entitled The Adverse Effects Of Zinc Deficiency by Tuula E. Tuormaa that was published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, in1995, (orthomolecular refers to a holistic approach to medicine that attempts to treat the body with natural substances) Tuormaa summarized the results of many medical studies on the effects of zinc deficiency and “mental” problems.

The following are some of the conclusions of the studies cited by Tuormaa:

• A variety of mental and behavioral changes have also been associated with zinc deficiency in humans, including apathy, lethargy, amnesia, irritability, depression and paranoia, as well as mental retardation. (A.S. Prasad, P. Rabbani, A. Abbash: Experimental zinc deficiency in humans. Annals of Internal Medicine)
• Low zinc levels were found in 112 acute psychiatric patients. (D. Sprinivasan, S. Marr, R. Wareign, et al: Magnesium, zinc and copper in acute psychiatric patients. Magnesium Bulletin, published in 1982.
• In children, zinc deficiency has been associated with mental retardation (D. Dantford, J. Smith, A. Huber: Pica and Mineral Status in the Mentally Retarded. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published in 1982.)
• Heavy metal toxicity, drug intoxication, hypothyroidism, cerebral (brain) allergy, wheat-gluten sensitivity, hypoglycemia, folic acid/vitamin B12 deficiency can produce symptoms known as schizophrenia. (C. C. Pfeiffer and S. LaMola: Zinc and Manganese in the Schizophrenias. Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry published in1983.)

In an article entitled Zinc Deficiency, Metal Metabolism, And Behavior Disorders written by William Walsh and published by the Health Research Institute, Walsh states, “Many of the patients of the Carl Pfeiffer Treatment Center suffer from behavior disorders. The most common ones are attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and conduct disorder (CD). These patients typically have a history of extensive counseling and multiple medications and many have experienced residential care.”

Walsh continues, “A high percentage of behavior disordered persons exhibit abnormal levels of copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, calcium, magnesium and manganese in blood, urine, and tissues, based on chemical analysis results from thousands of patients:Most of these patients have symptoms of zinc deficiency along with depressed levels of zinc in their blood plasma.”

One of the most frightening side effects of antidepressants is violence. Walsh refers to a study of more than 4,000 behavior patients and concluded that lower levels of zinc increased violence in males. (W.J. Walsh, H.R. Isaacson, F. Rahman, A. Hall, and I.J. Young, “Elevated blood copper:zinc ratios in assaultive young males”, Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Abstract of Papers, Miami Beach, 1994.)

Walsh concludes, “We find that zinc deficient individuals usually respond well to inexpensive supplementation with zinc and augmenting nutrients. Many patients who previously experienced years of counseling, psychotherapy, aggressive medication programs, and/or residential treatment become greatly improved and respond to less intensive (and less expensive) therapies. Zinc deficiency can be corrected, but not cured. If treatment is discontinued, the prior zinc deficiency will reemerge with all symptoms gradually returning. Zinc deficiency, like diabetes, requires life long treatment. Fortunately, it is a simple, low cost, safe treatment.”

In light of the studies cited above and the countless more cited in previous newsletters and on the web, how can anyone blindly take an antidepressant or antipsychotic drug without first determining that they are not zinc deficient? Is it not negligence if a doctor prescribes one of these drugs without first ascertaining if there is a physical cause?

OTHER DISEASES RELATED TO ZINC DEFECIENCY

There are a number of other diseases or conditions that have been associated with zinc deficiency. Some of these are:

• Skin conditions like eczema, acne, and/or psoriasis
• Slow wound healing
• Leg ulcers
• Growth retardation
• Frequent infections (zinc is required for the development and activation of a white blood cell that helps fight infection.)
• Problems during pregnancy
• Lactation problems after pregnancy
• Vision problems—particularly with older people

HOW DO WE GET ZINC IN OUR BODY?

Our body gets zinc from supplements we take and from the food we eat. While most of us get the majority of our zinc from eating red meat and poultry, zinc is found In many foods. Oysters, beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy products all contain zinc. However, some studies have concluded that vegetarians should be especially attentive to zinc deficiency because it is likely that they are not getting sufficient zinc.

CAN WE HAVE TOO MUCH ZINC?

As we all know, our DNA and metabolism are each different. Too much zinc for one of us is too little for another. While many recommend that adults consume 11 milligrams per day, this may or may not be enough for everyone. For example, if someone is taking iron for anemia, this may be reducing the body’s ability to absorb zinc.

However, there have been many cases of zinc toxicity. If we absorb more zinc that we need, then we can have health problems. This is why it is important that a person not try to self-medicate and just start taking more zinc.

HOW CAN WE TEST FOR THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ZINC?

The simple answer is that it is complicated. There is no single laboratory test that is always accurate. Zinc serum levels may appear normal but may not be in fact. Some practitioners use urine and hair tests but these can also be misleading. Most doctors generally use several different tests and also look to see if some of the symptoms of zinc deficiency are reduced if given zinc supplements. There are more tests being developed and, in combination and in the hands of a good doctor, can provide indications of zinc deficiency and the proper means to correct the problem.

CONCLUSION

Sometimes it seems that most of us don’t want a simple solution. Much of this information about zinc has been known for decades. Yet, the marketing power of the drug companies drowns out common sense approaches.

How many of us have learned the hard way that when an electronic device is reported to not be working, that we check to see if it is plugged in or if the batteries have been removed or gone bad? Few things are more embarrassing than calling a repairman who finally arrives and politely informs us that it was a breaker switch or the device was not plugged in firmly.

As we tell our patients who arrive at Novus for drug detox from OxyContin, oxycodone, Vicodin, methadone, heroin, alcohol, antidepressants, benzodiazepines like Xanax, or for prescription drug addiction detox, they need to go for further treatment after they complete their detox program. If it is someone who is addicted, then they should go to a rehab facility and then go to a medical doctor who will do a thorough physical exam and look for the real physical cause. If it is someone who is just dependent, then they should go directly to the medical doctor.

None of our problems can be solved by treating only the symptoms. Just like no amount of working on an unplugged television will overcome the problem of it not being plugged into an electrical outlet, we need to confront this and decide that if we really want to handle our problems we have to find the real cause.

Steven L. Hayes is Director of Novus Medical Detox Center in Pasco County, FL, 45 minutes north of Tampa (http://www.novusdetox.com). Steven hopes to become part of the solution for the millions of people who have become addicted to or dependent on prescription drugs; by educating them and their doctors; by insisting that pharmaceutical companies do honest, open and scientifically sound testing; and by providing a facility for medical detox that is comfortable, private and caring.

INFORMATION ON DEPRESSION

One of the most misused terms in use today is “depression.” Many symptoms are attributed to the general category of depression. The National Institute of Mental Health has set forth these symptoms of depression:

• Ongoing sad, anxious or empty feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Feeling irritable or restless
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable, including sex
• Feeling tired all the time
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or difficulty making decisions
• Not able to go to sleep or stay asleep (insomnia); may wake in the middle of the night or sleep all the time
• Overeating or loss of appetite
• Thoughts of suicide or making suicide attempts
• Ongoing aches and pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not go away.

All of us have probably experienced one or more of the symptoms listed above. However, most of us have overcome these feelings on our own, either through lifestyle changes or eating better or exercising more, or just letting some time pass. Others seem to be unable to overcome these symptoms and they start adversely affecting their lives.

THEORIES OF THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

CHEMICAL IMBALANCE IN THE BRAIN

Most drug companies and most psychiatrists propose that the cause of depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain—a physical cause. While the antidepressant labels state they don’t know exactly how their drugs work, they promote that their drugs are thought to increase the amount of these chemicals in the brain.

Of course, the problem with this theory is that there are presently no medical tests to determine the amount of any chemical needed in the brain or even the amount of the chemicals that are there at any one time. This is probably why a recent comprehensive study of anti-depressant drugs found that they were no more effective than placebos (sugar pills).

MEDICAL CAUSE

Another theory of the causes of depression symptoms is that, if there is no organic damage to the brain—like that caused by an accident or surgery—the cause is most often related to an actual medical illness or physical problem that, if corrected, will eliminate the symptoms.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (doctors who study glands and hormones) stated, “The diagnosis of subclinical (without obvious signs) or clinical hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity) must be considered in every patient with depression.”

In 1994, “Clinical Practice Guidelines For the Evaluation and Treatment of Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism Developed by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology” were released, advising doctors that patients with hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) could present (appear to have) the following:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• Memory and mental impairment
• Decreased concentration
• Depression
• Nervousness and irritability
• Heat intolerance/increased sweating
• Tremors
• Mental disturbances
• Sleep disturbances including insomnia

If you compare this list of symptoms with the list of depression symptoms, you will see many are the same.

HOW COMMON ARE THYROID PROBLEMS?

A study reported in the February 28, 2000 issue of Archive of Internal Medicine revealed that of more than 25,000 people given blood tests, 9.9% had thyroid problems they probably did not know about. Another 5.9% were being treated for thyroid problems. This means nearly 16% of the population in the study had thyroid dysfunction.

Dr. Broda Barnes, author of Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, estimated that as many as 40% of the public may have low thyroid function, much of which is not detectable by modern blood tests. He recommended a simple and more reliable body temperature test.

Dr. Barnes’ thyroid self-test, discussed in his book, is as follows: “You take an old-fashioned mercury-type thermometer, shake it down and put it on the nightstand before going to bed (if you’re going to do it on yourself – or someone else just shake it down below 95 degrees before you take the temperature). In the morning on awakening, before arising or moving around, the person puts the thermometer snugly in his armpit for 10 minutes by the clock. If the temperature is below 97.8, the person likely needs thyroid supplementation or, if they’re on a thyroid supplement already, they need more. The temperature should be between 97.8-98.2.”

In an article entitled Depression and Physical Illness, Dr. Alan Thomas, a psychiatrist and lecturer, said, “Mood changes and depressive illnesses are more common in people suffering from physical illnesses than in people who are well: There is good evidence that some of the above illnesses directly affect the parts of the brain and the chemical systems that control our mood and behavior. For example, vascular diseases (those affecting the blood vessels) and Parkinson’s disease damage important areas of the brain, making people vulnerable to depression… Endocrine conditions directly interact with, and upset, important chemical systems governing mood and other features of depressive illness.”

HORMONES

It is widely reported that women experience depression about twice as often as men. As we have seen at Novus, many of our female patients who came to us for a drug detox left Novus and went to see a holistic doctor who determined that there were hormone imbalances and, once treated, their depression and anxiety disappeared.

A study by the National Institute for Mental Health showed that some women who had severe pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) experienced relief when a hormone imbalance was corrected. These hormonal imbalances may explain why some women feel postpartum depression after they give birth.

There is also increasing evidence that hormonal imbalances may be responsible for feelings of depression in men.

OTHER COMMON PHYSICAL PROBLEMS LINKED TO DEPRESSION

There are a number of medical doctors who are finding that treating the following conditions will often result in the reduction or elimination of depression symptoms:

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Lack of exercise
• Fibromyalgia
• Candida (yeast infection)
• Poor adrenal function
• Hypoglycemia (unusually low blood sugar)
• Food Allergies
• Heavy metals (such as mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium, and thallium)
• Selenium toxicity
• Heart problems
• Lung disease
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Chronic inflammation
• Cancer
• Brain tumors
• Head injuries
• Parkinson’s disease
• Liver disease
• Drug side effects

CONCLUSION ABOUT DEPRESSION

Another reason to look for the medical cause is that there is increasing evidence that in addition to their side effects, antidepressants don’t work. As two articles in the March 23, 2006, New England Journal of Medicine point out, 70 percent of people taking antidepressants are still depressed.

One article describes a study of 565 subjects who took the antidepressant Celexa for 12 weeks and were still depressed. The researchers continued to give the subjects Celexa but added another antidepressant. The result—70 percent of the subjects now taking two dangerous antidepressants were still depressed.

The second article discusses a study where 727 subjects who were taking Celexa and were still depressed. The subjects were divided into groups and one group was given Wellbutrin SR, another Cymbalta, and another Effexor XR. These results were even worse than the first study because at the end of the trial, 75 percent of the subjects were still depressed.

Dr. Randall Stafford, professor of medicine at Stanford University, co-wrote an article entitled “What Are the Public Health Effects of Direct-to-Consumer Drug Advertising?” The placebo effect is discussed and the authors concluded, “The effect is profound: about one-third of patients report relief from postoperative pain, cough, headache, depression, and other conditions when given a placebo.”

Even more damning is the February, 2008 study released by researchers at the University of Hull, in the United Kingdom. This study concluded that compared with placebo, the new-generation antidepressants do not produce clinically significant improvements in depression. Because of all the side effects of antidepressants, this makes their use even more suspect and dangerous.

What does all this tell us? There is no one test to conclusively determine the cause of depression. However, we know that there are medical tests that, if properly and thoroughly done, will eliminate many of the symptoms of depression. It is logical to look for physical causes before taking any type of drug, particularly since the antidepressants and antipsychotics have so many dangerous side effects and there are rising doubts that they work for most people better than placebos.

CONCLUSION

Some of us have not been blessed with the best of health and many of have had physical problems that caused us to exhibit some of the signs of depression listed above. However, many symptoms of depression don’t require an antidepressant to treat the symptoms but instead a good medical exam to find the actual cause.

Once we find and handle the actual cause, life changes and we will be able to enjoy the benefits of this Irish blessing:

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks,
May your heart be as light as a song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.

Steven L. Hayes is Director of Novus Medical Detox Center in Pasco County, FL, 45 minutes north of Tampa (http://www.novusdetox.com). Steven hopes to become part of the solution for the millions of people who have become addicted to or dependent on prescription drugs; by educating them and their doctors; by insisting that pharmaceutical companies do honest, open and scientifically sound testing; and by providing a facility for medical detox that is comfortable, private and caring.

I know that some people think that the idea of seasonal depression is just plain crazy. However, there are some very real cases that lead us to believe that the weather can have a tremendous affect on a person’s mood.

The thinking used to be that a change in the weather can’t really make a person depressed or that anyone who feels this way just needs to get a grip on their emotions and snap out of it. Afterall, in any given area we all deal with the same weather as our neighbors, so how can some actually suffer from seasonal depression when others are unaffected even through the coldest darkest of winters? There are a few reasons why some people may get this disorder when others remain un affected, and fortunately, there are some things that any person suffering with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can do to deal with it.

What Causes Seasonal Depression?

Humans are living breathing creatures and react to sunlight just as much as plants and animals do; we may not exactly wither in the shade, but we still need sunlight. For instance, someone that isn’t exposed to natural light on a regular basis can suffer from rickets and other diseases. So to say that a lack of natural light having an affect on your mood is all in the head just doesn’t hold up under scientific scrutiny.

If lack of sunlight affects you physically of course it can affect you emotionally. I would go so far as to say that because it affects you emotionally that it will eventually affect you physically. A lack of sunlight during wintertime can cause seasonal depression in those that are more sensitive to this condition. With our culture of early commutes in the dark to work and then into artificially lit cubical during the day only to leave the office or plant at 5 o’clock with less than an hour of daylight left, it’s easy to see how little light many of us get in the winter.

It’s also true that some people just don’t like outdoor sports or exercise during the winter such as skiing or snowboarding or even running and walking, so they are getting much less natural light than those that exercise on a regular basis. Others simply may be more sensitive to the cold, such as people with poor circulation. This of course leads to them wanting to stay indoors more often, contributing to their seasonal depression.

Cabin fever can also contribute to seasonal depression. When you are locked up in the house all the time because roads are covered in snow and ice, it’s easy to feel frustrated, irritated, bored, and trapped. These can easily lead to cases of seasonal affective disorder and, if left untreated, into clinical depression.

Treating Seasonal Depression

We can’t magically wish winter away nor would most people want too. Most can’t take off for several months at a time to go sit on a beach soak in the natural light and make ourselves feel better. But there are some things that you can do when winter blows in to treat seasonal depression.

First, getting outside as much as possible is important. Even if all you do is go outside to clear the walk or just stand on the porch for a few minutes, this can help. Perhaps instead of hitting the cafeteria in your building walk around the block for some fresh air or a new lunch spot. You don’t have to be in direct sunlight just natural light so being out side during the day is going to be helpful.

Second, try to do some type of out door exercise. If you’re not one much for winter sports, remember you can play in the snow with your children or just walk up and down the sidewalk to be outside. Regular exercise is also important as exercise always helps to alleviate one’s mood.

Third, changing your light bulbs to the type that mimic natural light can be effective for keeping seasonal depression at bay. Keep your environment as bright as possible for as long as possible; avoid turning down your lamps until it’s nighttime. Likewise, turn on as many lights as possible in the morning to get your body believing it’s daytime.

Fourth, watch what you eat. We all tend to eat heavier “comfort” foods in the winter that tend to make us more lethargic and not want to get out and do things we normally would on a lighter stomach.

Finally, it’s important to plan activities with friends and family during the winter months as well; staying at home and just watching television will only contribute to your feeling bored and depressed. Keep these thoughts in mind, take action on implementing the 5 steps above and you’ll stop seasonal depression before it stops and you’ll have the best winter ever!

This article was researched and written by Sean P McCool. Sean is the owner and founder of PrestoBango! – Information To Transform Your Life!
For a FREE 10 page report on depression, visit www.HowToEndYourDepression.com

Whenever agoraphobia is the topic of discussion, the question what

agoraphobia treatment is best, eventually comes up? But in truth it’s very
difficult to say. It’s a little bit like asking which pop group is best? The old
saying “one mans meat is another mans poison” is true for agoraphobia treatment
in more ways than one! It’s really a matter of preference and one of weighing up
the odds.

Medication is a prime example, some people find Anti-anxiety agents, such as
Ativan helpful in controlling their symptoms, while others hate the thought of
taking any form of medication, it really is “horses for courses.”

Not everyone gets on with counselling either, spending hours reliving traumatic
life events, over and over is particularly stressful to many people and progress
is often slow if any is made at all. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is
another area of agoraphobia treatment that has its supporters and detractors,
with many people complaining about the lengthy treatment duration
and achievement of only a desensitising rather than complete removal of the
agoraphobia.

Of all the difficulties experienced by people seeking agoraphobia treatment,
perhaps the most serious is the difficulty in receiving treatment at home. There
are very few opportunities for this either privately or through the public
health system and this one hurdle often represents the biggest single challenge
faced by agoraphobia sufferers.

One company offering home visits is BeOnForm, who use effective modern methods,
far removed from traditional CBT or counseling. The fact that their therapy is
conducted at the clients home, is totally non invasive and free from any type of
medication, makes them almost unique in agoraphobia treatment.

This modern approach to agoraphobia
treatment uses a combination of 
Thought Field
Therapy (TFT) and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) to tackle the root
causes of agoraphobia in a fast efficient manner.

Whilst this doesn’t work for everyone, their success rate is in the order of 95%
a far cry from traditional medicines meager achievements. Little wonder then,
that many people believe that this modern private healthcare, delivered at home,
represents the best agoraphobia treatment option available.

http://www.beonform.com/

This
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<a href="http://www.beonform.com/Mainpages/cond_phobias_agoraphobia.html">
agoraphobia treatment</a> uses a combination of
<a href="http://www.beonform.com/Mainpages/cond_trauma.html">Thought Field
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causes of <a href="http://www.beonform.com">agoraphobia</a> in a fast efficient
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